Germany and Australia kicked off in Group B. Steph Catley and Alexandra Popp captain their teams during match day 1. The Matildas are ready to finally win something during the Olympic Games 2024. Their opponent Germany knows what it’s like to win Gold. The match did not go how we expected. The Matildas were blown away by Germany. Let’s have a look at our match report Germany vs Australia.
The Matilda’s start with high pressure – Germany counters
The match started with Australia immediately showing Germany their intentions. High pressure resulted in a little bit of panic with Germany, but resulted in a direct counter. Hrubesch’s squad gets their first opportunity through Brand. In the box, she shot on target but Mackenzie Arnold was paying attention. Right after the first chance, the long ball goes behind the Australian defense line again. It seems like another German attack is underway, but luckily for The Matildas, it’s offside.
After 5 exciting minutes, the teams calm down a bit. High pressure from both turns down a notch. Eventually, the first corner-kick is earned by Australia. Foord and Catley link up in the box, a block from a German defender gets the Matildas a corner. It leads to nothing but a quick German counter. Again Brand is dangerous near the Australian box.
Quick thinking from Ann-Katrin Berger
Ann-Katrin Berger easily caught the ball after a Matilda corner and saw Jule Brand run toward the Australian goal. The goalkeeper’s quick thinking got the ball to Brand who then ran into the box. Everything looked like a goal, but Brand failed to get a shot off properly.
Two German corner-kicks resulted in a head injury for Steph Catley. She collides with Clare Hunt, her teammate, but can return to play. The next moments are for Australia. Sloppy work by Germany allows the Matildas to find some more space. They started the match with a lot of intensity but lost it quickly after Germany had two chances in a short amount of time.
The first yellow card of the match is for Caitlin Foord. She fouled Hendrich with her studs on the left ankle. The German received treatment and returned to the game. Moments later Germany earned a corner-kick. Giulia Gwinn got behind the ball and reached Hegering almost perfectly. Hegering headed the ball between the posts, leaving Arnold without a chance of stopping it. 1-0 for Germany it is, the stronger team in the first 25 minutes. The Matildas almost immediately equalized, but Fowler did not manage to get a shot away with her left foot.
Germany is powerful and everywhere
Most passes by the Matildas are intercepted by the Germans. They are everywhere, leaving Australia with little opportunities. Katrina Gorry is the engine in the midfield. She intercepts quickly and passes to her teammate to see it go to Germany within seconds. The Matildas do however have a fighting spirit. The forwards, Fowler and Raso work their way to the box on multiple occasions, but there are no teammates to help them.
Hard work by Foord
35 minutes in and we can finally say that Australia is back in the game. A header from Foord just missed the target but it shows that The Matildas keep fighting. Germany does not get through the lines as easily. Foord runs from left to right wing and creates a great opportunity. She hit the side net, but it shows what she can do if left unattended. The last minutes of the first half goes by without any big chances for either team. Germany’s Sjoeke Nüsken missed a great chance due to offside. With three minutes added on Australia knows what to do and Germany seems satisfied with the 1-0 in the first half. It ended with a free kick for Australia after Bühl fouled Raso. It was an easy save for Berger. The teams go to the changing rooms with 1-0 for Germany. What will Tony Gustavsson say to his team?
Match Report Germany vs Australia: Back in action
If this match gave us one feeling it would be that everything is possible. The first opportunities in the second half are for Australia. Jule Brand has been brilliant for Germany in the first half and sets the tone right in the second. Her shot goes just wide, but the power behind it was phenomenal. Minutes later she does it again, shot goes wide.
Another massive opportunity for Germany follows, but Alana Kennedy denies it by taking the role of goalkeeper for a moment. Brilliant save by the defender. It leads to a corner-kick for Germany, but Australia manages to clear it. Gustavsson decides to make some changes. Vine and Gorry come off for Wheeler and Freier. It’s Freier’s Olympic debut after she had an amazing season in 2023/2024. She just came back from an ACL injury and was the top scorer in the A-League in Australia.
Goals through set pieces
Germany’s set pieces are in order as they scored the 2-0 from another corner kick. This time it was Lea Schüller with the goal. It was only months ago during the Nations League that it felt like Germany’s best years were behind them. They dominated for so long but struggled during the World Cup. They are making up for it during their first Olympic match. The Matildas are a strong opponent but are losing 0-3 to Germany. Yes 3-0, Jule Brand scored Germany’s third goal of the evening. A great way to finish her formidable match.
With nearly 20 minutes on the clock, it’s not looking good for The Matildas. Germany scored the 4-0, but offside denied that goal. Australia is still determined to score and get something out of this match. Gustavsson makes more changes in the last 15 minutes of the match. Van Egmond, Torpey and Heyman come on. Foord, Catley and Raso leave the pitch.
Psuhing through until the last minute
Australia claimed ball possession in the final ten minutes. More and more they worked their way into the box, but something is missing in their attack. Possibly Sam Kerr. Where the Germans know how to reach each other, Australia is struggling. Noteworthy: They are playing against a former Olympic Gold Medalist and it’s only match day 1.
At the end of the match, both teams burned through their energy. Not much was created by Australia this entire game really. Something they need to work on going into the other matches against Zambia and the USA. For Germany, it ends well with three points.
Match Report Germany vs Australia – Paris 2024 Olympics
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